ADELE SWEEPS THE 54TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS

Adele at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

Making a triumphant return to the stage after recovering from her Throat Surgery last fall, fave Brit Siren Adele had the audience cheering and clapping at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards performing an eagerly-awaited rendition of Song of the Year/Record of the Year Winner, Rolling in the Deep. Tears were visible in her eyes following her performance as she stood and took-in a standing ovation.

Prior to this evening, Adele had collected two GRAMMY Awards in 2009 including the coveted Best New Artist.  Although many see that Award as somewhat of a career curse, she clearly is an exception garnering six more GRAMMYs to her name tonight, including top honours with her Disc 21 in the category Album of the Year.  Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Diana Ross handed the Award to the tearful 23-year-old, who thanked her Mother first and foremost even though she wasn't in attendance.

Foo Fighters also fared exceptionally well, winning six Awards tonight for their work on latest Disc, Wasting Light.  Since forming in 1994, the Band led by David Grohl have earned a whopping an impressive eleven GRAMMYs.

85-year-old Jazz Legend Tony Bennett was presented tonight with two additional GRAMMY Awards for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance with Body and Soul (ft. Amy Winehouse) and also his U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart-topping Duets II for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.   Although not televised, Bennett had Winehouse's Parents join him on-stage to accept the Award on-stage.  Bennett now has now won a total 16 GRAMMYs in his celebrated Career.  Both he and Carrie Underwood presented Best New Artist to Wisconsin's own Bon Iver.  Lead Singer Justin Vernon currently is seeing Canadian Singer/Songwriter Kathleen Edwards.

MR. WILL-W.:POP MAVEN'S 2011 BEST-OF LISTS

Although I was always under the mindset that 2011 wasn't really a standout year in terms of Music and Film, looking back I can appreciate that even though for me there were no clear-cut, definitive favourites, overall there were many bright and memorable moments.  I have selected my Top Ten Films and Top 20 Tracks of 2011.  Let's see where my choices compare to yours!

Still from The Artist

TOP TEN FILMS:
1. The Artist
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
3. Shame
4. Bridesmaids
5. The Help
6. The Muppets
7. War Horse
8. My Week with Marilyn
9. Drive
10. Warrior

One of my biggest regrets this year was not seeing The Artist at TIFF in September, but better late than never as the Film which touched and uplifted me most, actually is only a recent discovery.  The Silent Film about Era-star George Valentin is a triumph and a must-see for all.  Also, despite not loving the original Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, alas all that buzz did amount to something solid with David Fincher's Adaptation starring Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig being absolutely electrifying.  Michael Fassbender quickly has become one of my favourite Actors also with his riveting performance in Shame as a Sex Addict whose life is interrupted by the sudden arrival of his estranged Sister. Kristen Wiig's performance in Bridesmaids still sticks with me to this day as does Michelle Williams' work in My Week with Marilyn.

FOSTER THE PEOPLE "LIVE AT MUCH" APPEARANCE | SIGNED PHOTO GIVEAWAY

Foster the People (L to R): Mark Foster, Mark Pontius & Cubbie Fink

Those good-lookin' Boys from California, Foster the People, flew into Toronto last night from Dublin where they just completed a whirlwind European Tour, now making their way back home for some North American dates. 

In full-on Movember mode, members Mark Foster, Mark Pontius and Cubbie Fink showed their support for Men's Health sporting some pretty nifty Moustaches.  The Trio performed an intimate set of highlights from their #1 U.S. Billboard Rock and Alternative Album Torches, as part of MuchMusic's Live at Much series.  Hundreds of screaming Fans - many who waited hours in the cold - witnessed one of Pop Music's biggest breakthrough Acts of 2011 perform tracks like Helena Beat, Call it What You Want, Life on the Nickel, I Would Do Anything For You and of course their smash hit, Pumped Up Kicks.  The latter was just nominated for a GRAMMY Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance earlier this evening.

Frontman Foster and Drummer Pontius showed-off their new Tattoos which they recently acquired in Dublin reading "Free Mago".  The inscription is an Homage to their Touring Guitarist, who they revealed has had some tough luck on-the-road including being drugged with "Roofies", better known as the Date Rape Drug.  Foster admits to having been really starstruck meeting Adele recently, being a huge Fan of hers.  Pontius also revealed to Host Lauren Toyota that he absolutely loves the Rom-Com Love Actually, having watched it secretly recently on-the-road. 

Following Foster the People's appearance, they came out to greet Fans out in the cold and I was lucky enough to get a Photo with both Foster and Fink. Above this, they signed a Photo for my Readers.  All three of them!  Amaze.

See more Photos of Foster the People in Toronto below:

ENTER TO WIN WRISTBANDS FOR "FOSTER THE PEOPLE: LIVE AT MUCH"

Foster the People

Over the past year Foster the People have become one of the hottest Acts in Pop Music, successfully transitioning over to the Mainstream from the Alternative Music realm. The California Boys are set to appear next week on MuchMusic's Live at Much on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 7:00 PM after wrapping-up the European leg of their Tour.

Sony Music Canada and Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven want to take two lucky Readers to see Foster the People at MuchMusic!  To enter the Contest, all you have to do is take the above Photo and create a Caption of what members (L to R) Mark Pontius, Mark Foster and Cubbie Fink are so damn happy about in the Photo above. Wittiest answers as judged by me, win! 

Leave your entries under this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook before November 27, 2011 to qualify.  Good luck, Mavenati!

Order Foster the People's amazing Torches on iTunes today.

 (Photo credit: Sony Music)

FOSTER THE PEOPLE TO APPEAR ON "LIVE AT MUCH"

Foster the People

Huge news!  One of the biggest breakthrough Acts of 2011 are making yet another trip back to the City and this time you can see them for free!  Those handsome Boys of Foster the People, will be doing a free Performance and Interview at MuchMusic's Live at Much on November 30, 2011 at 7:00 PM. The Band will be back in Toronto, hot on the heels of their current European Tour and an appearance on NBC's Saturday Night Live recently.

Details on Wristbands will be made available early next week.  Click here for more information on that.

A quirky (in a good way) new Video has just been released for Call it What You Want, their latest Single. See it below: